SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION

The information has come from the British Red Cross Website http://www.redcross.org.uk/ and the videos are from Youtube http://www.youtube.com/ . The information provided is only intended to give you a guide on what can be done in such circumstances, however if you are worried or believe something is seriously wrong please contact 999 immediately.


SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION
1. The baby or child may develop a red, blotchy rash, itchiness or swelling on their hands, feet or face. Their breathing may slow down. Vomiting and diarrhoea can also occur.
2. When you observe any of these symptoms, call 999. The baby or child needs urgent medical assistance. An allergic reaction can affect someone very quickly, and is potentially very serious as it may result in swelling of their airway, which causes them to stop breathing.
3. When there is a known allergy, use their auto-injector, following the recommended guidance. Once an allergy has been identified, the doctor may provide the baby or child with an auto-injector (or epi-pen). Tell the ambulance personnel if the auto-injector has been used.
4. Reassure the baby or child, and make them as comfortable as possible while you wait for the ambulance.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt_MtPmlTPc&feature=player_embedded

Endometriosis

Endometriosis awareness week 2013
http://www.endometriosis-uk.org
4^th – 10^th March
Endometriosis was covered as part of our topic night on 4th March 2013 to help support http://www.endometriosis-uk.org
The information below is a direct copy and paste of the information *Mums World* posted during topic hour.

Endometriosis awareness week 2013
http://www.endometriosis-uk.org
4^th – 10^th March

Tonight, as part of Endometriosis awareness week, we are bringing awareness to this condition. What it is, who it effects and what you can do to get support. Please remember that *mums world* are offering advice only, we are not medically trained and if you are in any doubt whatsoever then please call your GP.

We would like to hear from you if you have or know someone with this condition – how it has affected them and what they do to cope. Please send in your pp’s starting with the word TOPIC and we will post them throughout the next hour.
Who does it affect?

Endometriosis affects approximately 2 million women in the UK. Most women suffering with endometriosis are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40.

What is endometriosis?

Every month your body goes through hormonal changes. You naturally release hormones which cause the lining of the womb to increase in preparation for a fertilised egg. If pregnancy does not occur, this lining will break down and bleed. The blood is then released from your body as a period.

Endometriosis cells react in the same way – except that they are located outside your womb.  During your monthly cycle your hormones stimulate the endometriosis, causing it to grow, then break down and bleed. This internal bleeding, unlike a period, has no way of leaving the body. This leads to inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue (adhesions).

How does it affect someone suffering from this condition?
It can be a chronic and debilitating condition. Endometriosis can impact on a woman’s life in a number of ways which include:

·  Chronic pain

·  Fatigue/lack of energy

·  Depression/isolation

·  Problems with a couple’s sex life/relationships

·  An inability to conceive

·  Difficulty in fulfilling work and social commitments.

What causes endometriosis?

The actual cause of endometriosis is unknown. There are several theories, but none fully explains why the condition occurs.

Does having endometriosis mean I’ll be infertile or unable to have children?

About 30 percent to 40 percent of women with endometriosis are infertile, making it one of the top three causes of female infertility. Some women don’t find out that they have endometriosis until they have trouble getting pregnant.

Is it infectious? Can it be passed on?
No Endometriosis is not infectious or contagious and can’t be passed on.

What should I do if I think I may have this condition?
Contact your GP. Request a double appointment so you have plenty of time to talk this over with your doctor. Endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose.

Can Endometriosis be treated?
There is no current known cure for Endometriosis but the symptoms can be managed. It is important to make sure you talk to your GP/medical advisor for all the information you need.

DID YOU KNOW

Approximately 176 million women and girls worldwide suffer from endometriosis

Most women with endometriosis suffer pain—and present symptoms—up to a full decade prior to diagnosis.

The average woman is 27 when she is first diagnosed with endometriosis.Endometriosis can run in families.

The average time that patients waited before treatment was 56 days (2009/2010)

www.endometriosis-uk.org are hosting 2 web chats this week the first being Wednesday 6^th March between 12-2pm (GMT) covering the medical aspects of Endometrosis. This web chat will include some of the country’s top endometriosis surgeons, GPs and specialist gynaecological nurses. The second web chat is Friday 8 March, 12 – 2pm covering how to cope with Endometrosis.

Thank you for joining us this evening. We hope the information we have posted will be useful.
Information was provided by http://www.endometriosis-uk.org

Enjoy the rest of your evening – pp’s will resume shortly.
Becks, Natalie and Vikki


Approximately 176 million women and girls worldwide suffer from endometriosis

Most women with endometriosis suffer pain—and present symptoms—up to a full decade prior to diagnosis.

The average woman is 27 when she is first diagnosed with endometriosis.

Endometriosis can run in families.

the average time that patients waited before treatment was 56 days (2009/2010)

CMV

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that is part of the herpes family of viruses. 
It causes few symptoms in most people. If you do experience symptoms, these may be similar to flu or glandular fever and include a high temperature (fever), a sore throat and swollen glands.
Many people are first infected with CMV as a child and do not even know they have been infected. However CMV can be caught at any age. Once you have been infected by CMV, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life, but does not usually cause further problems.
However, CMV can sometimes recur, which can be a problem if you have a weakened immune system, due to chemotherapy for example. If this happens, the virus can affect your organs and cause problems such as ulcers, vision problems and pneumonia.
CMV can also cause serious problems if a woman has her first CMV infection during pregnancy as the infection can spread to the unborn baby (known as congenital CMV).
It is estimated that 1-2 babies in every 200 will be born with congenital CMV in the UK. Of these, only about 10% will have problems, but they can be serious and include things such as hearing loss and learning difficulties.

How does CMV spread?

CMV is spread through bodily fluids, such as saliva and urine. It can be passed on through close contact with young children, such as changing nappies, or can be spread from one person to another when kissing or having sex.

Can CMV be prevented?

It is not always possible to prevent the spread of CMV and most people don't need to worry about being infected, as the infection is usually mild.
You can reduce your chances of developing an infection by practising good hygiene, such as regularly washing your hands with warm water and soap. This is especially important after changing nappies.
If you have a weakened immune system, you can take further steps to reduce your chances of infection, including taking extra care washing yourself, your clothes and your bed linen regularly.
Possible vaccines for the condition are currently being researched, but will probably not become publicly available for several years.

Treating a CMV infection

As CMV causes no symptoms in most people it is not usually diagnosed. If you are at risk of complications, a blood test can determine if you have ever had CMV or if you have recently caught it for the first time. Blood, urine and saliva swab tests can be used to determine if a newborn baby has congenital CMV.
Most CMV infections are not treated. However, if you have mild symptoms, painkillers can help reduce any fever or pain.
CMV that has recurred in someone with a weakened immune system is usually treated with antiviral medicines, which slow the spread of the virus. In some cases, it may be necessary to be treated in hospital. 
Some babies with congenital CMV may also receive antiviral treatment.

fertility

Fertility tests

If you've tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant for a year or more through regular unprotected sex, it’s time to see your GP. If you're a woman over 35, or if you think that either partner may have a fertility problem, see your GP after six months of trying. A fertility problem could be because you've had surgery that may have affected your reproductive organs, or because you've had a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as chlamydia, that may have damaged your fertility.
Many couples with fertility problems go on to conceive, with or without fertility treatment.

What to expect

If you make an appointment to see your GP because you're having trouble becoming pregnant, they will ask how long you’ve been trying. If it's been less than a year or you haven’t been having unprotected sex regularly, and there is no reason to suspect you may have a fertility problem, your GP may recommend you keep trying for a while to see if you conceive naturally. Having regular sex means having sex every two or three days throughout the month. You can find out more about maximising your chances of getting pregnant.

If you've been having regular unprotected sex for more than a year, your GP may recommend a range of tests to determine what's stopping you from conceiving.

Fertility tests

This page lists some of the most common initial fertility tests. Your GP can refer you for these tests, which will usually happen in hospital or at a fertility clinic.

Sperm test

In about one-third of cases, fertility problems are due to the male partner. Sometimes, a lack of sperm or sperm that are not moving properly can cause a failure to conceive. Your GP can arrange a sperm test. The male partner will be asked to produce a sperm sample and take it for analysis, probably at your local hospital.

Blood tests to check ovulation

Levels of hormones in a woman's blood are closely linked to ovulation, when the ovaries release an egg into the fallopian tubes. Hormone imbalances can cause ovulation problems, and a blood test can help determine whether this is happening. Going through a phase of not having periods, or having irregular periods, are also signs of ovulation problems. The most common cause of ovulation problems is polycystic ovary syndrome.

Test for chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most common STI in the UK. It can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and fertility problems. Your GP can refer you for a test for chlamydia. This can be a urine test or a swab from the urethra (the tube from which urine passes) or the neck of the cervix.

Ultrasound scan

An ultrasound scan can be carried out to check the woman's ovaries, womb and fallopian tubes. In a transvaginal ultrasound scan, which takes place in hospital, a small ultrasound probe is placed in the vagina. This scan can help doctors check the health of your ovaries and womb. Certain conditions that can affect the womb, such as endometriosis and fibroids, can prevent pregnancy from occurring. The scan can also check for blockages in your fallopian tubes (the tubes that connect the ovaries and the womb), which may be stopping eggs from travelling along the tubes and into the womb. The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) estimates that around one-third of women with fertility problems have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.

X-ray of fallopian tubes

This is called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). Opaque dye is injected through the cervix while you have an X-ray. The dye will help your doctors to see if there are any blockages in your fallopian tubes. Blockages can prevent eggs passing down the tubes to the womb, and so stop pregnancy occurring. Find out more about testing for and diagnosing infertility problems.

What's next?

In around 80% of cases of persistent failure to become pregnant, these tests will uncover a cause. In the remaining 20% of cases, no clear cause can be found.
Whether or not a clear cause is found, your GP can talk you through the next steps. This may include referral to a fertility clinic for further investigation or treatment. 

bleeding in pregnancy

Bleeding during pregnancy is relatively common. However, bleeding from the vagina at any time in pregnancy can be a dangerous sign, and you should always contact your midwife or GP immediately if it happens to you. Bleeding is not often caused by something serious, but it’s very important to make sure and to find out the cause straight away.
In early pregnancy you might get some light bleeding, called ‘spotting’, when the foetus plants itself in the wall of your womb. This is also known as implantation bleeding, and often happens around the time that your first period after conception would have been due.

Causes of bleeding

During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding can be a sign of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy (when the foetus implants outside the womb, often in the fallopian tube). However, many women who bleed at this stage of pregnancy go on to have normal and successful pregnancies.

Miscarriage

If a pregnancy ends before the 24th week of pregnancy, it’s called a miscarriage. Miscarriages are quite common in the first three months of pregnancy and around one in five confirmed pregnancies ends this way. Many early miscarriages (before 14 weeks) happen because there is something wrong with the baby. There can be other causes of miscarriage, such as hormone or blood-clotting problems.

Most miscarriages occur during the first 12 weeks (three months) of pregnancy and, sadly, most cannot be prevented. Find out more about symptoms of miscarriage.

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancies are less common than miscarriages, and affect approximately one in 100 pregnancies. Bleeding may be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb, for example in the fallopian tube. The fertilised egg can’t develop properly and your health may be at serious risk if the pregnancy continues. The egg has to be removed – this can be through an operation or medicines. Find out more about symptoms of ectopic pregnancy.
In the later stages of pregnancy, vaginal bleeding can have many different causes. Some of the most common are:

Changes in the cervix

The cells on the cervix often change in pregnancy and make it more likely to bleed, particularly after sex. These cell changes are harmless, and are called cervical ectropion. Vaginal infections can also cause a small amount of vaginal bleeding.

A ‘show’

The most common sort of bleeding in late pregnancy is the small amount of blood mixed with mucus that is known as a ‘show’. This occurs when the plug of mucus that has sealed the cervix during pregnancy comes away. This is a sign that the cervix is changing and becoming ready for labour to start. It may happen a few days before contractions start or during labour itself. Find out about signs of labour and what happens.

Placental abruption

This is a serious condition in which the placenta starts to come away from the inside of the womb wall. Placental abruption usually causes stomach pain, even if there is no bleeding. If it happens close to the baby’s due date, your baby may be delivered early.

Placenta praevia

Low-lying placenta (or placenta praevia) is when the placenta is attached in the lower part of the womb, near to or covering the cervix. This can block your baby’s path out of your body.
The position of your placenta is recorded at your anomaly scan.
If the placenta is still low in the womb, there is a higher chance that you could bleed during your pregnancy or at the time of the birth. This bleeding can be very heavy and put you and your baby at risk. You may be advised to come into hospital at the end of your pregnancy so that you can be given emergency treatment very quickly if you do bleed.
If the placenta is near the cervix or covering it, the baby cannot get past it to be born vaginally, and a caesarean will be recommended.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has more information on placenta praevia.

Vasa praevia

Vasa praevia is a rare condition, occurring in about one in 3,000 to one in 6,000 births. It occurs when the blood vessels of the umbilical cord run through the membranes covering the cervix. Normally the blood vessels would be protected within the umbilical cord. When the membranes rupture and your waters break, these vessels may be torn and this can cause vaginal bleeding. The baby can lose a life-threatening amount of blood and die.
It is very difficult to diagnose vasa praevia, but it may occasionally be spotted before birth by an ultrasound scan. Vasa praevia should be suspected if there is bleeding and the baby’s heart rate changes suddenly after the rupture of the membranes. It is linked with placenta praevia.

Finding out the cause of bleeding

To work out what is causing bleeding, you may need to have a vaginal or pelvic examination, an ultrasound scan or blood tests to check your hormone levels. Your doctor will also ask you about other symptoms, such as cramp, pain and dizziness.
If your symptoms are not severe and your baby is not due for a while, you will be monitored and, in some cases, kept in hospital for observation. You might have to stay in overnight, or until the birth, depending on the cause of the bleeding and how many weeks pregnant you are. This will enable staff to keep an eye on you and your baby so that they can act quickly if there are any further problems

sickness

What can I do to help relieve sickness and vomiting?

In most cases, as the symptoms are often mild, no specific treatment is needed. However, there are certain things that you may like to try to help relieve your symptoms. They include the following:

• Eating small but frequent meals may help. Foods high in carbohydrate are best, such as bread, crackers, etc. Some people say that sickness is made worse by not eating anything at all. If you eat some food regularly, it may help to ease symptoms. Eating a plain (or ginger) biscuit about 20 minutes before getting up is said by some women to help. Cold meals may be better if nausea is associated with food smells.
• Ginger. Some studies have shown that taking ginger tablets or syrup may be effective for relieving nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. However, care should be taken, as the quality of ginger products varies and they are not closely regulated in the UK. Before you take a ginger product, you should discuss this with a pharmacist or your GP.
• Avoiding triggers. Some women find that a trigger can set off the sickness. For example, a smell or emotional stress. If possible, avoid anything that may trigger your symptoms.
• Having lots to drink to avoid low body fluid (dehydration) may help. Drinking little and often rather than large amounts may help to prevent vomiting. Try to aim to drink at least two litres a day. Water is probably the best drink if you are feeling sick. Cold and sweet drinks can sometimes make symptoms worse in some people.
• Rest. Make sure that you have plenty of rest and sleep in early pregnancy. Being tired is thought to make nausea and vomiting during pregnancy worse.
• Acupressure. Some studies have shown that P6 (wrist) acupressure may be effective for relieving nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Acupressure is the application of pressure only and does not need needles.

miscarriage

How common is miscarriage?

The charity Tommy's estimates one in four women experiences miscarriage at some point, and one in five pregnancies ends in this way.
The most common time for a miscarriage is in the first 13 weeks. This is termed an 'early' miscarriage.

What causes miscarriage?

Because miscarriage is common and most women go on to have a normal pregnancy later, a cause isn't usually sought until a woman has suffered three. Then tests may be done, including examination of tissue samples from the miscarried foetus.
However, it's thought that most miscarriages are the result of a genetic abnormality in the embryo or foetus.
Half of all early miscarriages are caused by a chance abnormality that's unlikely to happen again. Some genetic abnormalities, however, are inherited. If you have repeated miscarriages, this would be investigated as a possible cause.
Other less common causes of miscarriage include:

• Abnormal hormone levels - can affect the body's ability to nurture a pregnancy.
• Problems with the cervix - if it opens too soon it can lead to late miscarriage.
• Problems with the uterus - it may be unusually shaped, divided in two by a thin membrane or there may be fibroids, all of which can restrict space for the foetus.
• Blood clotting disorders - blood flow affects the way early pregnancy is nourished and, later, how the placenta safeguards the foetus.
• Infection - blood infections and food poisoning, such as listeria, can (very rarely) lead to miscarriage.

Other problems that can lead to the end of the pregnancy include:

• Blighted ovum - pregnancy hormones make your periods stop because an egg is fertilised and a sac develops, but the fertilised egg doesn't grow any further (also known as 'anembryionic pregnancy' or pregnancy without an embryo).

• Molar pregnancy - the trophoblast (which would become the placenta) becomes a mass of fluid-filled cells. There may be no embryo, or only the early signs of one. This is very unusual and requires careful monitoring as rarely a molar pregnancy can lead to a cancerous tumour.

• Ectopic pregnancy - the foetus starts to develop outside the womb, usually in one of the fallopian tubes. Symptoms include pain, fatigue and possibly bleeding. Surgery is required to end the pregnancy and prevent further complications

Who's at risk of miscarriage?

Although the reason for most early miscarriages isn't understood, you're at higher risk if you're older, have had fertility problems or previous miscarriages, if you're significantly underweight or overweight, if your partner's older, or if you drink alcohol regularly or in large amounts, or if who smoke.
One in four women who becomes pregnant will experience at least one miscarriage and some lose many babies (about one in 100 women suffers recurrent miscarriages).
Many more pregnancies are lost at such an early stage that the mother doesn't even realise she's pregnant. In fact, one estimate suggests 60 per cent of all conceptions, or potential pregnancies, are lost.
Working during pregnancy isn't relevant. A healthy diet appears to lower risk.

Symptoms of miscarriage

A woman experiencing a miscarriage may have any or all of the following symptoms:

• pain, caused by the contractions of the uterus
• bleeding from the vagina
• leaking of amniotic fluid (only happens in later miscarriages)

When the miscarriage takes place, the foetus is lost through the vagina, along with the placenta and membranes.
Occasionally, a 'missed' or 'delayed' miscarriage occurs. This is when the foetus dies but doesn't leave the womb. This may only show up during a routine scan.

Treatment of miscarriage

If you suspect you're about to have a miscarriage, speak to your doctor or midwife as soon as possible.
If you do miscarry, or know for certain a miscarriage is occurring, you may need to go into hospital to ensure all the pregnancy has come away. This is called 'evacuation of retained products of conception' and is done under general anaesthetic.
With a late miscarriage, you may be given medication to start labour or you can discuss letting nature take its course without inducing labour.

Recovering after a miscarriage

Physical recovery can take a few days. You'll probably start your periods again after four to six weeks.
Your emotional response will be individual to you and you may have a range of feelings. Fathers also grieve after pregnancy loss and may need space for their own feelings.
After a recently published study there has been some debate about when to start trying again, but the general consensus among specialists is still that, as long as you are emotionally ready, for most women there's no physical reason to wait before conceiving again. You may need time and space to come to terms with the emotional effects of the miscarriage. Talk to your GP if you are unsure.

Pregnancy after a miscarriage

If the miscarriage was caused by hormonal or blood-clotting problems, you may be given medication to help prevent this happening again. If there was a problem with the cervix opening too soon, a stitch ('cervical cerclage') may be put in place to keep it closed.
If the miscarriage appears to have happened by chance - even if you've had two - your GP may just reassure you and tell you to try again.
If it looks like there may be an identifiable cause, or you've had more than two or three miscarriages, you may be referred for investigations.
Statistics show that even after three or four miscarriages the chances of a successful pregnancy are still higher than a further miscarriage.

Could I have prevented my miscarriage?

Miscarriage is almost always something that's outside your control. Your doctor may be able to reassure you about this. Don't blame yourself for something you couldn't prevent.